KYCT U-20 Korean National Live Cooking Team Showcases the Potential of Korean SME Food Products at SIAL Paris 2026

Captain Kyu Lyn Kim’s Tteokbokki Recipe Refined Through Young Chef Ji Hoon Yoon’s Tasting and Evaluation

(PARIS, France ) The KYCT U-20 Korean National Live Cooking Team(Chairman Young Don Kim) showcased the potential of Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry at SIAL Paris 2026, one of the world’s leading international food exhibitions. The team attracted attention from international buyers through its featured recipes and live cooking demonstrations.
 

[The KYCT U-20 Korean National Live Cooking Team. From left: Young Chef Ji Hoon Yoon, Young Chef Hwi Won Son, and Captain Kyu Lyn Kim.(Photo Credit: Mun Su Kim, Student Reporter, KYCT Press Corps.)]

A highlight of the team’s presentation was a tteokbokki recipe combining products from H&P International, led by CEO Heo Pang, and K-Food One, led by CEO Han Na Kwak. The recipe was initially developed by team Captain Kyu Lyn Kim, while Young Chef Ji Hoon Yoon contributed through repeated tastings and evaluations to refine the flavor balance and finalize the recipe. Their collaborative efforts demonstrated how the creativity and culinary expertise of young national team chefs can enhance the appeal of Korean food products.
 
During the exhibition, national team members Kyu Lyn Kim and Hwi Won Son conducted live cooking demonstrations that attracted international buyers and showcased the versatility of Korean ingredients and food products.
 
Fried rice prepared using products from We’d Like, led by CEO Nam Young Kim, also drew attention. The dish featured the Lyn’s Favorite mark, associated with Captain Kyu Lyn Kim’s public-interest brand, adding another point of interest to the team’s presentation.
 
Throughout SIAL Paris 2026, the KYCT team exchanged business cards with buyers from more than 60 countries, creating opportunities to introduce Korean SME food products to a wider international audience and explore their potential in global markets.
 

The participating companies also expressed their appreciation for the young chefs’ contributions. Nam Young Kim, CEO of We’d Like, praised the team’s culinary skills and dedication, saying, "The young chefs demonstrated impressive culinary skills and dedication in presenting Korean food products to international buyers."
 
Heo Pang, CEO of H&P International, also praised the team’s efforts, saying, "Their creativity and professionalism helped showcase the potential of Korean food products to an international audience."
 
Young Chef Ji Hoon Yoon expressed his gratitude to his teammates, saying, "I would like to thank Captain Kyu Lyn Kim for developing the initial recipe and Young Chef Hwi Won Son for leading the live cooking demonstrations. I hope to build my career in new product research and development and eventually become the CEO of a food company recognized around the world."
 

[(the top)Official badge issued by SIAL Paris 2026., (the middle) Young Chef Hwi Won Son and Captain Kyu Lyn Kim during a live cooking demonstration at the Korean Pavilion. (the very bottom) Captain Kyu Lyn Kim preparing a dish following Young Chef Ji Hoon Yoon’s recipe. photo 4. Lyn’s Favorite, a public-interest brand associated with KYCT Captain Kyu Lyn Kim(Photo Credit: Mun Su Kim, Student Reporter, KYCT Press Corps.)]

Captain Kyu Lyn Kim emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, "Young Chef Ji Hoon Yoon’s detailed tastings and evaluations helped refine the flavor and improve the final recipe. Young Chef Hwi Won Son also demonstrated strong culinary skills during the live cooking demonstrations. Their contributions were essential to our team’s presentation."
 
The KYCT U-20 Korean National Live Cooking Team’s participation in SIAL Paris 2026 highlighted the role young Korean chefs can play in connecting local food companies with international markets. By combining recipe development, product presentation, and direct engagement with buyers, the team helped demonstrate the global potential of Korean SME food products.
 
food companies with international markets. By combining recipe development, product presentation, and direct engagement with buyers, the team helped demonstrate the global potential of Korean SME food products.
  

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